The Red Caps were an outright victory away from a finals berth after winning three of their last four games to close out the 2019-20 campaign.

However they spent a large portion of the year in the upper-tier before finishing fifth on the competition ladder.

Newly appointed captain Ryan Simmonds says the club's list is on par with the best in the competition.

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"I think we've got the list to be able to match it with them," he said.

"I think it will be an even competition and it will be the ones who can bring it consistently that will be the ones that finish in the top four."

Wendouree struggled to find consistent form at times last summer. The club displayed patches of brilliance with the bat some weeks but failed to give its bowlers a chance in others.

Simmonds said the variance in form proved the difference.

"From a batting perspective, our middle order probably didn't make as many runs as we would have liked," he said.

"In saying that we had some batsman who had some fantastic years and our top order was very good at times last year."

Opener Sam Miller and reigning EJ Cleary medalist Cole Roscholler were among the league leading run-scorers and will likely be again. The return of Matt Begbie to the line up will also be a handy addition.

"He was out with illness last year and he will be huge to get back for a whole season," Simmonds said.

"He's a really good player and is a fantastic batsman."

The club will also bank on the improvement of promising youngsters Oliver Mahncke, Lucus Argall and Tristan Maple. All three flashed potential last season, and Simmons said it would pay to watch them going forward.

"Oliver played keeper last year and showed a lot of improvement and could take a big step forward, he said.

"The other two are spinners and I think they'll add something to our attack that's different to last year."

This season will mark the first as a senior captain for Simmonds, who replaced last year's skipper Gavin Webb. Simmonds said he would have big shoes to fill.

"It's pretty exciting, they are big shoes to fill but I'm really looking forward to the opportunity that the club has given me."